Renewable energy tends to be invisible. We read about energy transition, pilot projects, and long lead times in the news; yet, in some areas, we see power being produced in a way that blends seamlessly into its surroundings. Hydro options could represent an alternative way to produce clean energy, one that will raise questions about where your clean electricity comes from next.
A different form of energy environment
For thousands of years, rivers and tidal channels were viewed simply as geographical features rather than as an active source of renewable energy. Like wind farms and large dams, they too continually move and are noticeable in daily activities. However, in many regions of the US, rivers and tidal channels are now being utilized as testing grounds for new methods of producing clean energy – ones that blend into the existing environment as opposed to changing it.
What makes these projects significant is not their size, but their familiarity. Industrial sites, working waterways, and rivers near residential communities are being reconsidered as electricity sources, not for transformation, but for integration with existing infrastructure and established local activity.
As hydrokinetic development moves from single demonstrations to repeatable testing, attention is shifting toward technologies that generate power in flowing water without obstructing it. Submerged, low‑visibility systems that can coexist with navigation and local use are advancing rapidly, reflecting a broader push for renewable solutions with fewer physical and environmental constraints.
Why these projects matter more than expected
River‑ and tidal‑based hydroelectric generation reflects a broader U.S. energy challenge: increasing renewable output without adding land‑use pressure or disrupting communities. Many renewables require extensive space or new infrastructure, while waterways provide a continuous, underutilized source of clean energy.
In Maine, multiple demonstrations using small, modular equipment have shown the feasibility of generating electricity directly from river currents. These projects explore whether incremental, decentralized clean‑energy deployment can offer a viable alternative to large, centralized plants, while allowing systems to be tested and refined over time.
The potential for hydrokinetic technologies is immense. They are being studied for use in remote locations, but also in association with pre-existing infrastructure such as industrial parks and energy hubs. The versatility of hydrokinetic technologies suggests a greater role for them in the future as a complement to other forms of renewable energy rather than competing against them.
How ORPC’s hydrokinetic systems actually function
ORPC’s Modular RivGen Power System is a hydrokinetic technology that produces clean energy from moving water without having the need for dams or diverting water. The modular system utilizes underwater turbine generator units that spin with the natural current of river or tidal flows and convert those spinning motions into usable electricity.
ORPC deployed its Modular RivGen system in Maine’s Millinocket Stream as a real-world evaluation of the performance and reliability of actual operation. The system was designed for deployment in low-flow conditions and connection to existing onshore electrical infrastructure. The electricity generated by the unit can either support nearby industrial operations or be fed back into the local grid.
Once deployed, RivGen generates electricity from the kinetic energy of moving water using submerged turbine generators. Power from each module is conditioned and sent to shore via underwater cabling, enabling reliable, low‑maintenance generation without disrupting natural river or tidal flow.
Non-invasive modular design
Importantly, ORPC’s Modular RivGen technology is generally non-invasive as it operates submerged beneath the water line, thus permitting rivers to continue flowing naturally while generating electricity continuously. Also importantly, ORPC has gained valuable knowledge regarding how multiple modules can work collectively in the future as they develop their technology for broader application in river and tidal sites.
